December 7/05 1:12 am - Miscellaneous Cycling News

French sprinter Damien Nazon, 31, who has ridden for Brioches La Boulangere and Credit Agricole has retired, ending a 9-year professional career.

Charly Gaul Dies at 72

Charly Gaul, nicknamed the 'Angel of the Mountains', for his great climbing abilities died on Tuesday from a pulmonary embolism. Winner of the 1958 Tour de France and twice a winner of the climber's title would have turned 73 today. In addition, Gaul won 10 stages at the Tour and the 1956 and 1959 Giro d'Italia.

Arenberg to Return to Paris-Roubaix in 2006

AFP has announced that funding has been approved to restore the Arenberg trench in the hopes of making Paris-Roubaix's most infamous cobbled sector ready for 2006. France's North regional council on Monday unanimously approved 220,000 euros to repair the famous section, which was removed from the 2005 edition, deemed too dangerous.

"Organisers are contemplating the return of Paris-Roubaix on its legendary path as early as 2006, so long as the restoration is complete by April 9, date of the 104th edition of the race," race organiser ASO said in a statement Tuesday.

In adition to the the painstaking task of restoring the centuries-old cobblestones, repairs to ditches and sign posts are also to be undertaken.

The state of the Arenberg trench has considerably deteriorated in recent years.

Cycling Lobby Gains Strength in US

With cyclists like US President George W. Bush, Lance Armstrong and others raising the profile of bicycle riding, the cycling lobby is gaining momentum and grantsfor cycling projects.